BRING ON THE BYE!
NRL Round 18
Manly-Warringah v South Sydney
Brookvale Oval, Sunday 6 July 2025, 4:00pm
The ‘Illuminate’ event was far brighter than South Sydney’s effort at Brookie.
When your team is languishing in 16th place, one no longer plans weekends around Sunday 3:30pm (Central Australian time) kick-offs.
I listened to South Sydney’s sixth straight loss as I drove back to the Barossa from a coaching commitment, managed to see Manly-Warringah score two tries just before half time, before returning to the ABC listen app for the second half as Mrs Hansen and I drove to Adelaide for the 5:45pm Illuminate event at the Botanic Gardens.
Illuminate event: highly recommended.
South Sydney did have most of the possession and field position in the early stages of the contest, however the lack of on-field leadership was again evident.
Once Manly clicked into gear and attacked South Sydney’s vulnerable right side, with Campbell Graham and Tyrone Munro both looking completely lost in defence, the game was over as a contest.
Brandan ‘The Cheese’ Smith, a recruit from the Roosters, previously with the Melbourne Storm, debuted for Souths after a serious knee injury. Disappointingly, Smith left the field in his comeback match with another knee injury.
After half time, it was Manly’s right side defence’s turn to go to sleep. Tallis Duncan scored twice for Souths to at least get on the scoreboard.
South Sydney’s remaining games are the bye, Penrith, Cronulla-Sutherland and Brisbane, followed by the Titans (wooden spoon clash), Parramatta, St George-Illawarra, and Eastern Suburbs.
Wayne Bennett has never coached a team to last place on the NRL ladder. There is speculation the NRL will bend the rules (so very NRL-ish!) to allow Wayne to coach the Kangaroos at the end of the season. Perhaps Wayne would be better served reviewing South Sydney’s diabolical 2025 NRL season.
Just a thought.
The Dr Nathan Gibbs (SS player #649) most heartbroken (injured) player:
Brandan “The Cheese” Smith debuted for South Sydney off the bench on Sunday. Cheese was returning from a knee injury and was a bright spot in attack for Souths.
Smith was a dejected figure as he walked up the tunnel after what some described as a dubious (hint of a hip drop) tackle from the controversial Matt Lodge.
During the week, I listened to a brilliant podcast interview with the good Doctor Nathan Gibbs: what a career in sports medicine with the Sydney Swans, NSW State of Origin and South Sydney.
The Rampling Brothers-Les Davidson-Ian Roberts tackle of the match
Not awarded
The Phil Blake chip n chase best attacking moment:
A very brief short list of contenders here: Tallis Duncan, deservedly, scored a double in the second half.
Full time: Manly-Warringah 30 defeated South Sydney 12
South Sydney team list: Johnston, Tass, Graham, Duncan, Wighton (capt.), Humphreys, Tetola, Brandon Smith (South Sydney debut #1210), Koloamatangi, Arrow, Host, Hubner, bench: Havili, Le Blanc, Moale, Ryan Gray.
South Sydney scorers: tries: (3) Duncan 52’, 54’, Tass goals: Latrell 4/5
Half time: Manly-Warringah 14-0
Penalties: South Sydney 7-6
Referee: Wyatt Raymond, bunker: Grant Atkins
Attendance: 17, 928
Highlights:
2025 NRL Match Highlights | Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs | Round 18
Press conference:
Wayne Bennett FRUSTRATED by Brandon Smith tackle: NRL Presser | NRL on Nine
RABBIT IN THE VINEYARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS:
3 – Tallis Duncan, 2 – Brandon Smith, 1 – Keon Koloamatangi
PROGRESSIVE POTY POINTS:
20 – Keon Koloamatangi, 17 – Jye Gray, 11 – Tallis Duncan, Jamie Humphreys, 9 Lachlan Hubner, 7 – Campbell Graham, 6 – Jack Weighton, Alex Johnston & Latrell, 3 – Jai Arrow, 2 – Brandon Smith, Davvy Moale, Sean Keppie, 1 – Euan Aitken, Peter Mamouzelos, Cody.
NB: 2023 and 2024 winner: Cameron Murray
SOUTH SYDNEY FULL WEEKEND RESULT:
NSW Cup: Penrith defeated South Sydney 18
Jersey Flegg Cup: Penrith defeated South Sydney 14
NSW women’s premiership: South Sydney 22 defeated Wentworthville Magpies 20
BAROSSA VALLEY RED WINE OF THE WEEK
2021 Goat Square Reserve Shiraz
Russel Hansen, South Sydney football club diamond member 6199, lives in Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia. His golden retriever, Murray, is named after the (injured – for the season) South Sydney captain. Twitter/X: @Rabbit in the Vineyard @Russel_Hansen
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About Russel Hansen
Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
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